North Korea

What is the motive behind North Korea’s belligerent behavior? Who is pulling the strings in the background? And what is the best way to resolve this situation? We discuss the power realities in East Asia and explore some options for the United States at home and abroad.

There is a steady stream of news these days about North Korean missile launches and nuclear tests. Accompanying this news are debates and discussions about how the United States should handle the situation. I wanted to offer my own assessments and opinion on the matter.

There has been much talk in the news of possible military action of some sort on the Korean peninsula. Western observers—the United States in particular—suspect that the North Korean government is planning shortly to test a nuclear device. Before, US officials have repeatedly expressed their dissatisfaction to their Chinese counterparts regarding North Korea’s refusal to abide by its previous treaty obligations. Compounding the confusion are recent statements by President Trump that he plans “solve” the North Korean problem one way or another.